Christmas in Whispering Pines

by Scarlett Dunn

  Frank threw his hands in the air. “How am I supposed to know? I was in Denver.”

  Without hesitation, Granny said, “I think you choked this young woman and left her for dead.”

  “Why would I do that?” Frank countered.

  “Frank, I stopped trying to understand why you do the things you do a long time ago. The devil got his hooks into you at an early age and he hasn’t let you go. You’ve never wanted to be out from under his control, and you’ve never wanted to redeem your soul.”

  Moving toward Granny, Frank said, “Why are pointing that pistol at me? You know you aren’t going to shoot me.”

  “I will if I need to. You are through hurting people in this family.” Granny stood and pulled the hammer back on the pistol. “You need to leave this room, Frank.”

  Frank grinned at her. “Are you going to shoot me, Granny? Are you forgetting I’m your grandson? The only grandson you have left.”

  Granny tightened her grip on the pistol. “You’re the reason I only have one grandson left. For the last time, you need to leave, Frank.”

  Frank reached out and quickly wrapped his hand around the barrel, aiming to wrestle the gun from Granny’s hands. Granny held on tight. They struggled, and Frank elbowed Granny in the shoulder, but Granny refused to release the gun. The gun exploded, and in her shock, Granny dropped the gun. The bullet grazed Frank’s arm. He ran from the room and down the back staircase. Hitting the bottom stair, he grabbed his boots before he ran for the back door. He heard the doors upstairs opening and people running down the hallway. By the time he reached his horse, he heard someone riding in. He didn’t wait around to see if it was Morgan; he headed toward the pines, riding fast.

  Morgan was headed toward the stable, but he saw men running from the bunkhouse toward the house. He turned his horse toward the house and he saw someone on the front porch holding a lantern. All of the commotion told him something was very wrong. Emma was running toward the pines, yelling for Sweetie who was several yards in front of her. Clay was trying to keep up with Emma, and he was carrying a pistol.

  “Frank was here,” Granny said as soon as Morgan reached the porch.

  “When?” Morgan’s eyes moved to his pregnant wife, and seeing the fear in her eyes made him furious.

  “Just now. Morgan, I know he was going to kill that girl, but he didn’t know I was in the room. I had a pistol on him, but he grabbed it and we struggled. It went off, and I think he was hit, but I don’t think it was serious. He was able to run out of here.” Granny’s hands were still shaking from her encounter with Frank.

  Morgan glanced around to see if he saw Joseph, but he wasn’t with the other men.

  “I’ll saddle up,” Murphy said.

  Morgan appreciated his foreman’s offer. “No, I’ll go. Murph, you need to stay here and keep watch on the house. I want a man at the front and back. If you see Joseph, tell him I’ll be in the pines.”

  Rose ran to her husband. “Please don’t go after him alone.” She pointed to the trees. “You hear those sounds? Those are the sounds I always heard when Frank was in there with me. He’ll be waiting to kill you.” From a young age, Rose never believed it was the wind that made the sounds in the pines as Granny had always tried to convince her. She believed what Joseph Longbow told her. He always said the great spirits echoed warnings with alarming sounds. The pleasing sounds said the great spirits were at peace with the visitors on their land.

  Morgan heard the disturbing sounds, but it wasn’t going to stop him. He understood his wife’s fear of Frank; she had good reason to be afraid. He leaned over in his saddle and kissed the top of her head. “Honey, the men have work to do in the morning. I’ll be fine. Now you need to get some rest.”

  Emma and Clay walked back to the porch with Sweetie. Afraid Sweetie would go after Frank, Emma had a firm grip on his fur.

  Clay heard Morgan say he was going after Frank.

  “I’m going with you,” Clay said.

  “Not in your condition. You should be in bed,” Morgan responded. “I’m just going to see what direction he’s headed.” He glanced at Murph. “Have someone go tell Jack what’s going on, and tell him to wire Sheriff Trent to let them know what happened here. The judge is supposed to be back in Denver tomorrow, so tell Trent to inform the judge his girlfriend is here.”

  Morgan rode through the pines alone. He knew Frank well enough to know that the area frightened him, and he’d try to get out of there as fast as he could. After searching for a few hours, Morgan couldn’t find his trail and he turned for home. He’d spent too much of his time dogging Frank through the years, and he didn’t want to add to Rose’s worry in her condition. Morgan had already come to accept that Frank would get his due, and he no longer needed to be the one to dole out justice. His life had changed. It was more important to him to be a good husband to Rose, and a father to their child than it was to seek vengeance.

  * * *

  As expected, when Morgan reined in at the ranch, Rose hurried outside to meet him.

  “I knew you wouldn’t rest until I came home.” Morgan picked her up and carried her inside and up the stairs to their room. Once he put Rose to bed, he walked to the kitchen where Granny had a steaming cup of coffee waiting for him.

  “I’ve already started breakfast. The biscuits will be ready in a minute,” Granny said.

  “Are you okay, Granny?” Morgan knew her well enough to know she would have been fretting over Frank being shot, whether he deserved it or not.

  Granny sat down beside him. “I’m okay. It was Frank’s fault. He shouldn’t have been here in the first place.”

  Morgan reached over and placed his arm around her frail shoulders. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here, Granny.”

  Granny patted his hand. “Nonsense. You can’t be here to protect us all of the time.”

  “It’s my job to look after the women in my life,” Morgan said.

  “You do a fine job of that, but we can’t live our lives expecting Frank at every turn,” Granny replied.

  Logic told him Granny was right, but it didn’t settle well with him that he wasn’t at home to protect his family. “Did Murph see Jack?”

  “Yes, and he sent a telegram to Denver. I expect Marshal Holt will be tailing Frank again.” Granny left her seat to crack four eggs in the iron skillet. She pulled the biscuits from the oven and lifted six from the pan and placed them on a plate. Once the eggs were done, she added them to the plate with a stack of bacon. “Eat your breakfast, then go upstairs and get some rest.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Morgan dove into his breakfast. “How’s Mrs. King doing today?”

  “I’m praying she wakes today. She’s been moving around more and I think that is a good sign.”

  “It would be nice for her to be able to tell us who did this to her,” Morgan said.

  Granny refilled his cup. “We both know the answer to that.”

  “I’m surprised with Sweetie being upstairs that Frank was able to sneak in,” Morgan said.

  “Clay was sleeping, and Emma had fallen asleep in the chair. I was walking back and forth checking on Mrs. King and I didn’t want to disturb them, so I closed the door. I did notice that Sweetie seemed restless.”

  “Too bad Sweetie wasn’t in the room with you. It would have saved Marshal Holt a trip,” Morgan said.

  * * *

  Judge Stevens was on Morgan’s porch before lunch. When Granny answered the door, he introduced himself and said, “I understand Mrs. King is here.”

  Granny invited him inside. “I’m Granny Langtry. Yes, Mrs. King is here. I’ve been caring for her.”

  “That is very good of you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see her,” the judge said.

  Granny led the way upstairs. “I’m sorry to tell you that she hasn’t awakened. It’s in God’s hands.”

  “I understand that Frank Langtry is your grandson,” the judge said.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Sheriff Trent told me Frank
was here last night,” the judge said.

  Granny stopped outside the door to Leigh’s room, and explained to him what had transpired last night. “I think Frank was going to make sure she was dead. Morgan tried to trail him, but he didn’t find him.”

  “Mrs. Langtry, I have spoken with Frank’s gang in the Denver jail, and I assure you that my vision regarding your grandson is no longer clouded. I was in hopes of talking to Leigh to confirm what those men told me.”

  “I know you believed in Frank’s innocence, and I can’t tell you how much I wish that were true, but it isn’t. Frank is guilty of everything Morgan told you, and much more. He needs to pay for his crimes.”

  The judge acknowledged her words with a shake of his head. “It seems I owe Morgan an apology for not taking his word. I came here to find out if Mrs. King was involved with the bank robbery. As you may know, my daughter was killed that day.”

  “I’m so sorry for your loss. All I know is Mrs. King was involved with Frank, and that didn’t bode well for her.”

  “Yes, I learned of their relationship when I arrived back in Denver. My sister was also privy to their deception. But I am unclear if Mrs. King was coerced in any way.” The judge wanted to believe Leigh was forced by Frank, but his sister told him Leigh gave Frank a sad story and that was why he’d helped her. No matter what had transpired, he still loved Leigh, and he didn’t want to believe she had deceived him.

  Granny opened the bedroom door. “I hope she awakens so she can tell you the truth.” She walked to the bed with the judge, and said, “I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes.” She glanced up at him and saw the tender look on his face as he stared at Leigh. Knowing he was a man who had been betrayed by the woman he loved, Granny couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

  Granny left the judge alone with Leigh, and walked back to the kitchen where Rose was preparing lunch.

  “I heard part of what he had to say,” Rose said.

  “He’s still in love with her,” Granny said.

  “I’m sorry for that,” Rose said, and picked up the tray of food she’d prepared. “I’ll take this tray up to Emma and Clay, and I’ll ask the judge to join us for lunch.”

  “I think he would appreciate the offer.”

  * * *

  “Morgan, I owe you an apology,” the judge said when he sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Judge, you weren’t the first person who was fooled by Frank Langtry. No apology is necessary.”

  “All the same, I do apologize for not taking your word for the problems he caused you. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.” The judge recognized he’d been foolish to ignore the warnings of good people who had been harmed by Frank.

  “There is one thing you can do,” Granny said.

  Morgan and Rose looked across the table at Granny. It was rare Granny would ask a favor of anyone. She was the one always giving to others.

  “What’s that?” the judge asked.

  “When the marshal finds Frank, I want you to make certain he never hurts anyone again.”

  The judge stared at Granny. He understood what she was asking, and he admired her for her courage. “I give you my word on that.”

  “Judge, if you would like to stay here until Mrs. King comes around, you’re welcome,” Morgan told him.

  “That’s generous of you, Morgan. You sound confident she will survive,” the judge said.

  “Granny is the best doctor there is,” Morgan replied.

  The judge smiled at Granny. “I expected as much.”

  “I’ve never seen anyone stay unconscious this long though,” Granny said. “I wouldn’t mind if Joseph had a look at her.”

  “Joseph?” the judge questioned.

  Realizing Granny didn’t think before she spoke, all eyes slid to Morgan. Morgan didn’t hesitate to respond. “Joseph Longbow.”

  “That would be the Sioux Indian on your ranch,” the judge stated.

  Morgan and the judge had had words about Joseph in the past, but Morgan wasn’t going to lie. “That would be him.”

  The judge stared at Morgan and nodded. “If you think he could help Leigh, please ask him.”

  Morgan knew that was the judge’s way of saying he would accept Joseph staying on his ranch without asking questions. “I’ll find him right after lunch.”

  True to his word, Morgan brought Joseph to Leigh’s room where Granny and the judge were sitting beside the bed. Granny had already told the judge of Joseph’s ability to heal with herbs. Leigh didn’t have visible wounds, so she couldn’t promise Joseph would be helpful in this case.

  Joseph approached Leigh and placed his hand on her head and closed his eyes. As was his way, he spoke some words quietly in his language. He opened his eyes, looked Granny’s way, and gave a little imperceptible nod of his head.

  Granny walked with him to the door where they spoke softly to each other. Granny turned back to the judge and said, “He says she will live.”

  The judge took a deep breath. “Thank God.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Two days later Leigh awoke in the evening with the judge and Granny beside her. She tried to speak, but her throat was so dry, words would not come out. Granny held her head while she sipped some water.

  “Where am I?” Leigh asked.

  “You’re at Whispering Pines Ranch,” Granny said.

  “Why am I here? Have I been ill?” Leigh asked.

  Granny glanced at the judge. “I’ll let Judge Stevens explain.”

  “Judge Stevens?” Leigh said. “Who is he?”

  The judge stood and leaned over her. “Leigh, don’t you recognize me?”

  Leigh drew her brows together as though she were trying to recall his face. “I’m sorry, I don’t know you.”

  The judge looked across the bed at Granny, and she looked as confused as he did.

  “Do you know who you are?” Granny asked.

  “No. He just called me Leigh. Is that my name?”

  “Yes, it is. Mrs. Leigh King.” The judge took her hand in his. “Don’t you remember, we were going to travel the world together?”

  Leigh’s eyes darted to Granny. “Why don’t I remember anything?”

  Granny leaned over and patted her shoulder. “There is no need to be frightened. The judge knows you well. He means you no harm.”

  “Do you remember Frank Langtry?” the judge asked.

  Leigh shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I don’t.”

  “You’ve been unconscious for several days. Your memory may come back slowly,” Granny said, trying to reassure her.

  “Why was I unconscious?”

  “Someone tried to kill you by choking you,” Granny responded.

  Leigh’s eyes widened. “Why would someone try to kill me?”

  “We think Frank Langtry tried to kill you, but we don’t know why,” the judge replied.

  “That’s the name you asked if I remembered,” Leigh said.

  “Yes. He was part of a bank robbery, and we didn’t know if you were involved or not.”

  Leigh’s gaze met the judge’s. “Why would I be involved in a robbery? And why would he try to kill me if we were involved in a robbery together?”

  “That is a good question.” The judge was determined to hold on to a thread of hope that she wasn’t a party to the bank robbery.

  “You called me Mrs. Leigh King. Am I married?”

  “No, you are a widow. I was going to ask for your hand.”

  “Have we known each other very long?”

  “A couple of years.” He gently squeezed her hand. “It was a special time.”

  “Why don’t you rest now? Dinner is almost ready and I’ll bring you a tray.” Granny looked at the judge. “Judge Stevens, you come on down for dinner. I’m sure Mrs. King needs a few minutes to herself.”

  As much as he didn’t want to leave, the judge understood Leigh needed some time. He squeezed her hand. “Rest now, my dear. I will check on you later.”

/>   * * *

  While Granny brought Leigh her dinner, the judge sat with the family and told them of her condition. “I’ve never seen anyone who has lost their memory. Of course, I’ve heard of such conditions, but never saw it firsthand.”

  Emma and Clay had joined the family at the dinner table, and once they heard what the judge had to say, Emma said, “Perhaps she might remember Clay. He spoke with her that day.”

  “It’s worth a try. We’ll go up right after dinner,” Clay said.

  Morgan didn’t voice an opinion, but it occurred to him that Mrs. King may be playacting. She’d been implicated in the bank robbery by Frank’s gang, and she had to know the law was on to her by now. He hated to think a woman would be so devious, but she’d left the judge fast enough when Frank came along, so he didn’t think she was particularly trustworthy.

  The judge, Clay, and Emma finished dinner and walked upstairs to visit with Leigh, leaving Rose and Morgan alone at the table.

  “Do you think she’s really lost her memory?” Morgan asked Rose.

  “I asked Granny the same thing, and she said she couldn’t say for sure she was telling the truth. I guess the only thing we can do is believe her. If her memory doesn’t return, it will be very frightening for her. I wonder what the judge will do with her.”

  “He will find a way not to bring charges against her. His feelings for her will overrule his good judgment.” Seeing firsthand how the judge protected Frank, Morgan expected him to do the same thing for Leigh.

  * * *

  “Leigh, this is Pastor Clay Hunt. Do you remember him?” Judge Stevens asked.

  Leigh glanced at Clay. “No, I’m sorry. Were you the pastor of my church?”

  Emma was certain Leigh almost smiled when she saw Clay walk into the room. She couldn’t very well call Leigh a liar, but she knew she recognized Clay. Emma glanced across the bed at Granny, and she could tell by the look on Granny’s face that she’d noticed the same thing.

  “No, I wasn’t your pastor, but we spoke the day you were injured. You sent me a note to meet you,” Clay said.

  “Clay was shot when he stopped at your buggy,” Judge Stevens said.

  Leigh’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry.” Her gaze landed on Emma. “Who are you?”